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Top prosecutor defends Nigel Evans charges

The Director of Public Prosecutions has defended the decision to prosecute former Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans over a string of sex offences charges, saying victims of sex crimes do not always consider themselves victims.

Ex-DPP urges to 'keep a cool head' over abuse cases

A former DPP, Lord Macdonald of River Glaven, QC, has said the Crown Prosecution Service needed to "keep a cool head" when approaching historical abuse cases, after former Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans was cleared of all charges surrounding nine sexual allegations and one of rape.

He told The Times (£): "We don't want prosecutors only to bring sure-fire winners, that way lots of guilty people would never be taken to court. The more challenging cases need to be prosecuted too, so that the courts can decide.

"What the CPS need to avoid, however, is going on a mission and losing perspective. This particularly applies to historical cases which have garnered a lot of publicity. You have to keep a cool head."